With more open space in the village, Yu Jihong leased several acres to grow vegetables, while Fang Meixiang's parents and Fang Shugen also planted more sweet potatoes.
That night, Fang Shugen's mother lay in bed, pondering when she would go to Ren Lutong's place, since Shugen's house was almost finished.
Turning to look at Fang Jingming beside her, she realized that Jingming was still so young. She would wait until he went to school, and Huahua was a little older and could cook for herself and take care of her younger brother. She decided to wait a bit longer. Shugen had planted so many sweet potatoes this year, and she couldn't just leave without helping out at home.
"Sigh!" she sighed. "Brother, grow up quickly, Grandma needs to have her own life too." Looking at the ceiling, she thought of Ren Lutong again. "Old man, wait for me for a few more years. When I can let go of this family, I'll come and be with you."
Fang Dongqiang, Fang Yu, and Fang Huahua can no longer have as much fun as they did when they were little; they all have to stay home and help with farm work.
They helped with the fire when cooking, and during busy farming seasons when the adults were threshing rice, they would hand over rice stalks and pick up any fallen ears of rice.
Fang Yu's family bought a TV, and Fang Huahua often took her younger brother to her house to watch it. "Huahua, you shouldn't always be with Fang Yu and go to her house," Fang Shugen's mother would nag Fang Huahua when she saw this.
"Grandma, Dongqiang is a male classmate, so we can't always go to male classmates' houses. Fangyu is a very nice person. She will help me take care of my younger brother. Fangyu's mom will give me some of the good food she has. Other people's moms won't give me any."
"Mother, children know very well who is good and who is bad. What has Third Brother's family done to you this time? Do you always have to find a nemesis to antagonize?"
“I don’t care, I don’t care, I’ll take care of your kids for a few more years, then I’ll go up the mountain. You guys can live on your own.” Fang Shugen’s mother sat in front of the stove. “Huahua, bring your and your brother’s sandals over here. I’ll heat up the fire tongs and put the broken one back on for you.”
Hua Hua brought over the sandals. "Grandma, these are too small. I won't be able to wear them this year."
"Try it on and take a look."
Hua Hua put on sandals, and her entire feet were stuffed inside them.
"I'll glue the broken part back together first, and then I'll cut off the back to use as slippers, so I can wear them for another summer."
Fang Shugen then came over to Huahua and said, "Huahua, Grandma is just saying that. You should play with whoever is nice to you."
When they're not in school and are at home, the kids who want to go to the fields to do farm work love rainy days the most.
On rainy days, there's no need to work in the fields, and adults can stay home and relax.
The rain wove a gray net, enveloping the field ridges and bamboo groves in a soft, damp blanket.
Fang Huahua was at Fang Yu's house with her younger brother.
Taking advantage of the rainy day when she wasn't going to the fields, Yu Jihong rummaged through a wooden box and took out a few old clothes to mend, so they would be easier to wear while working. The smell of mothballs mixed with the dampness of the rainwater filled the room.
"Fang Yu, what's that smell coming from your house? It smells so good." Fang Huahua sniffed hard again.
"Ah, you like this smell? It's for repelling insects; it smells like mothballs," Fang Yu said in surprise.
"Smells good!" Fang Huahua glanced at the rain outside, which was falling obliquely and water was accumulating on the ground. Inside the house, Yu Jihong was sitting in front of the sewing machine, stepping on the pedal.
"Mom, since we're not going to work in the rain, let's stay home and cook something nice to eat," Fang Yu called out.
"Okay, I'll make some sweet potato cakes later."
The firewood crackled in the stove, and raindrops pattered on the earthenware pot under the eaves, tinkling like a song. Fang Huahua loved Fang Yu's house on rainy days; she couldn't quite explain it, she just loved it.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com